open The Town That Friendship Forgot

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Windy Breeze @Samurai Equine

Since Chelsea still had somewhat of a connection, she captured that incident in her memory and sent it to the doctor’s supervisor. “Now we’ll see who’s gonna be talking after your supervisor finds out how rude you were to guests and patients.” Chelsea said telepathically to the doctor. 
 

Chelsea smiled at the receptionist knowing Shadow. 

[Samurai Equine 51,832]

@Windy Breeze, @C. Thunder Dash, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare, @PawelS, @Ragland Tiger

The nurse nods and makes some records. "Ms. Shadow, you are free to go in and see Trilby. He is currently in bad shape. He's unconscious and badly hurt. However, all of his friends seem to be worried about him. With your permission, we'll be happy to let them in with you." The nurse says, and shows Shadow an official document. "Just sign on the bottom line, and you may all go in."

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@ExplosionMare @Dynamo Pad @PawelS @Windy Breeze

Chelsea sighed. She was ready to heal Trilby all the way back up to full health. Thundy was happy that he was going to see Trilby, and hoped that Chelsea was ready, for this would be one of her biggest healing spells. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,361]

@Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Windy Breeze @Samurai Equine @C. Thunder Dash

Dynamo continued to wait patiently as Samurai and Chelsea had left to check up on Shadow. After a few moments, the blue unicorn's ears perked as he heard the the sound of a 'poof' and a 'flash.' Looking over, he smiled softly as Samurai and Chelsea had returned with Shadow in tow. "Welcome back you guys and it's good to see you again, Shadow. It's good to see that you're doing better." He would say, remember how he tried to help Shadow with her injuries after the invasion. As the trio made their way inside, Dynamo would follow the others into the building towards the reception desk. He was glad that they would be able to see Trilby, but he knew that they weren't out of the woods just yet. Now they would need Chelsea to try and heal up Trilby's injuries. Dynamo could only hope that they weren't too late in saving Trilby.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Samurai Equine

Chelsea looked visibly anxious and so did Thundy. Because he spent time with Trilby in the game, Thundy hoped that they would be able to get to him on time so that Chelsea could use her healing abilities on him. 

[Silly Druid 7,031]

@Samurai Equine @Windy Breeze @C. Thunder Dash @Dynamo Pad @ExplosionMare @Ragland Tiger

Samurai and Chelsea appear again, with Shadow with them, who seems to be completely healed.

"Hey, Shadow! Nice to see you in good condition!" says Tree song, who haven't seen her today yet.

"Let us know if you need any help" Nopony says to Chelsea, who is going to heal Trilby. Both the druid and his apprentice have some medical knowledge, so they are ready to assist with the healing process if needed.

 

[Pencil Pouch]

@Dynamo Pad @Ragland Tiger @PawelS @Samurai Equine @C. Thunder Dash @Windy Breeze

When Samurai, Chelsea, and Shadow, thankfully, returned, Pencil followed them and the others to the reception desk. Now that Shadow was here, there was a chance that Trilby could be saved, or at least be visited. Pencil waited anxiously for the nurse to respond and hopefully reconsider letting everyone in to visit.

She glanced at Chelsea through her peripherals and saw that she was quite nervous. She slowly trotted over to her and whispered,

“Are you okay, Chelsea?”

[Samurai Equine 51,832]

@Windy Breeze, @C. Thunder Dash, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare, @PawelS, @Ragland Tiger

As they wait for Shadow to sign the form and give them all clearance, Samurai stands with his friends, still visibly shaken as well. He lowers his head. "I hope we can save Trilby... I might not know everything, but I know that feeling abandoned or forgotten is one of the worst feelings ever... He thinks everyone here is my friend, not his. Perhaps we should have spent more time around him. As much as I hate to admit it, I really don't know that much about him. I know he makes hats and clothing. He got mad when I ordered a kimono made out of Japonies silk. He ordered a bunch and used very little. I would have been happy to order more garnments with that material, but I usually keep my clothes in good condition. I haven't had a reason to go back to his shop very often... Can anyone speak up about him more than I can? Most of you went on a video game adventure with him, right?"

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Samurai Equine @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Windy Breeze @Dynamo Pad

"Trilby is a really nice stallion. I was only around him during the the time in the video game, but he's really cool to be around. I believe he owns a hat shop..." Thundy stated. 

Chelsea turned to Pencil. "I just...hope we get to Trilby before it's too late..." Chelsea said with a sniffle. 

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine @ExplosionMare @C. Thunder Dash @PawelS @Dynamo Pad

Shadow smiled at seeing the others. Good, they managed to save themselves from pain unlike her. They were all here to see Trilby and they needed her to get access to his room. She turned to the nurse and gently took the document from her like a precious treasure. She wrote her signature giving everypony their rights to enter Trilby's room. She was uncomfy as the others spoke and chimed in without even looking away from the document.

“Trilby took me to a lot of places. I couldn't remember all of them, but one of them is something like a zoo and the other a movie theater” she gave the nurse the document back.

[Samurai Equine 51,832]

@Windy Breeze, @C. Thunder Dash, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare, @PawelS, @Ragland Tiger

With the paper work complete, the nurse nods and shows them the way. "His room is just over there. Please have caution entering, he is not exactly pleasing to look at right now."

Somewhere in a lone room, Trilby Hatter sleeps in his medical bed.
His hat is placed in a chair. His clothes are a bit torn and tattered, but that's nothing compared to the bruises, visible wounds, and his black eye. One of his hooves is even in a cast.
Machines are monitoring his health and magic levels at all times, while a radio quietly plays to make the atmosphere calm.
However, what no one can see and fewer can feel is the shadow of an evil dragon, floating on top of Trilby and keeping him wrapped up in a sinister curse.

Spoiler

 

And in Trilby's dreams...
he walks alone in perfect condition, though his head is hung low. The atmosphere changes from color to color, even going into a psychedelic kaleidoscope of colors.
At one point, Trilby raises his head, hearing something. Ahead, he sees Samurai and all the friends he made. Wanting to be part of it, Trilby smiles and reaches out, running toward them. But he stops when he notices none of them are even paying attention, and they are walking away without giving Trilby a second thought.
Saddened once more, Trilby turns the other way, walking into the town. However, ponies stop and turn their head, their faces curling to a demonic smile as they point and laugh at Trilby's misfortune. Such ridicule causes Trilby to run away faster and faster!
Soon the sights of the town blur into just a highway leading to nowhere. Talking stone heads with blurring shadows pop out of leafy fields as trees grow miniature sand dunes at the end of their branches, and each tree attracts dozens of flying eels with wings and little pony faces. Dogs drive moonbeam motor homes. Pink and purple aliens in the sky shoot rainbow lasers that rain candy. Fine art statues crumble upon islands that float to the sky. Cosmic sages open their third eye, but won't say a word. Absolutely nothing is real, and sometimes it feels like Trilby is being followed by an evil clone of himself.
And as his journey leads him to the edge of a cliff, he sees a giant flying gemstone with Shadow Trail's beautiful image inside. Though he smiles and runs to free her, the ghostly visage of Nightmare Moon emerges from behind the stone and shoves him backwards.
As he lands on his back, he attempts to regain his composure and bow before the evil princess, but the shadow of a black dragon with glowing eyes swoops down and severs the cliff's edge. As Trilby plummets into the depths, he reaches up to try and grab onto anything. The gem imprisoning Shadow Trail, the ghostly shadows that circle and loom all around him, the toxic bubbles that float up and love to pop, the coldhearted laughing photographs of ponies he knows in real life, various random objects... Nothing is working, and it's all going to black.

Back in reality...
Samurai opens the door to Trilby's room and lets everyone in. "Remember everyone, be quiet and respectful. We're guests in this hospital, and we don't want to startle anypony." Samurai says quietly.

[Dynamo Pad 11,361]

@Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @Windy Breeze @PawelS @Samurai Equine @C. Thunder Dash

Hearing Samurai's statement, Dynamo looked over to see the asian pony still look visibly shaken. Dynamo didn't blame him as he was feeling the same way. Looking around, it seemed like everyone was the same, as well. "To be honest, I think I'm in the same boat as you are, Sam. I only met him and learned a bit about his hats and clothing in game. He told me he was accidentally given the cleric class, but he was a really big help. He went with the battle team for most of the levels and he helped use out when we got stuck, or were in trouble. He was also someone with great advice. Before you left, I wanted to talk to you about something, but I knew you had to leave and take care of Snow Leopard. However, I managed to talk to Trilby because I thought he and Shadow were together." Dynamo nodded as he heard Thundy mention of Trilby owning a hat show. "You're right, but I think it's hats and other stuff. I remember him selling stuff around the arcade after we completed the game world." He turned towards Pencil and Chelsea, the latter of who looked nervous and sniffled. "I want to say that we will get to Trilby and save him, but it's all up to Trilby. With how he was in the game, I know he's a fighter and doesn't seem like someone who gives up. So, he's strong and I'm not giving up on him."

He shook slightly as if he was trembling in fear. He didn't want to admit it, but he never wanted to go through something like this again. He had lost something before, but he never wanted to lose something like that again. He knew he didn't know Trilby all that well, but he was kind enough for Dynamo to consider him a friend. As Shadow received and filled out the document, he heard the places that he and Shadow had gone to. "It sounds like he really liked you, Shadow. It's why I wanted to ask for your advice, as well as his that day we all got breakfast." He smiled softly, imagining how sweet Trilby and Shadow were together. He didn't want to assume, but he still felt that Trilby and Shadow were together. Once the paperwork was complete, Dynamo nodded at the nurse's words as he followed the group to Trilby's room. When Samurai opened the door, the gaming unicorn nodded in understanding on the need to be quiet and respectful. He recalled that there were still a majority of ponies and creatures in the hospital after the attack from yesterday. So, everyone needed their rest for recovery. Upon entering the room, Dynamo gasped softly as he took in the sight of Trilby. "Dear, sweet, Celestia." He softly uttered out, shaking his head in disbelief at witnessing the state Trilby was in. The black eye, the visible wounds, the bruises had shaken him to his core. It wasn't the same, but seeing Trilby like this reminded Dynamo of. "D...T-Trilby..." He softly uttered out, slowly making his way towards the food of the bed.

Edited March 30, 2021 by Dynamo Pad

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine @Dynamo Pad @C. Thunder Dash @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Ragland Tiger

“H-...He was..” Shadow didn't even bother to face Dynamo only staring as Samurai opens the door of a toom, breathing out nervously as she's stuck whether she should expect the worst or not. She followed Samurai into the room, going to his left to get a better look of the patient waiting for them inside.

As it turns out, she should have decided to expect the worst.

On the bed was Trilby. Shadow's eyes trained on him and his horrific injuries he sustained, not even taking any attention to his tattered garments the chair. Eyes trembled and she began to whimper as she examined his injuries one by one.

There are multiple bruises across his body from dock to head, but upon seeing his black eye and one his legs which was covered by a cast made Shadow tear up and quickly approach him. If Trilby were to wake up, what he would see is nothing but a worried and tearful face of Shadow Trail.

“...Trilby?”

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Samurai Equine @Windy Breeze @ExplosionMare @Dynamo Pad @PawelS

Thundy and Chelsea stepped inside the quietly. They took in the scents and the atmosphere. However, Chelsea let out a small sniffle, seeing Trilby in the horrid condition that he was in. Thundy let out a small sad sigh. Chelsea wanted to heal Trilby up right then and there. "Bless his heart..." She said softly to herself, but loud enough for everyone to hear. 

[Samurai Equine 51,832]

@Windy Breeze, @C. Thunder Dash, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare, @PawelS, @Ragland Tiger

Samurai nods at what Dynamo has to say. "Whatever you wanted to talk about, I am sure there will be plenty of time for it after we're done. Let's focus on Trilby for now."

As they all gather around Trilby, calling out his name does nothing. The heart monitor says he's alive, thankfully. But at that moment, the dragon's curse is more active than it's ever been. It's like a shadow swirling around Trilby, but only few can sense it, let alone see it. Chelsea and Nopony should be able to see/sense it no problem. Samurai looks at Trilby, sad for him, before lifting his head and looking around. "Does any pony sense that? I can't tell if it's a malice presence or just my imagination..." Once again, Samurai's ability to sense stuff like this is very limited.

[Chelsea]

@Samurai Equine @Dynamo Pad @Windy Breeze @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Ragland Tiger

Chelsea was visibly panting. She could feel the power of the curse, and it was all over. She sauntered over to Trilby, and rested a talon on him gently. At the moment, she released a flow of pure water energy on to Trilby. She grunted, for curses were much harder to get rid of, although it didn't affect her pure heart. Chelsea just had to dig deeper. "It's...this...curse..." She said straining. It was as if the light was pushing hard through a realm of darkness. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,361]

@Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Windy Breeze @Samurai Equine @C. Thunder Dash

Upon hearing the sigh and sniffle from both griffon's respectively, Dynamo looked around as he could feel the doom and gloom hanging in the air. It further caused his body to tremble in worry as he had felt like this before. While what Chelsea had said was quiet, her words were still loud enough for Dynamo and the others to hear. "W-What in Equestria could have h-happened to him? W-Who could have d-done this?" He knew it was a fairly simple answer, but he just couldn't understand it. This all must have happened during the invasion yesterday. Even so, how did he end up in such a state. His eyes teared up as he felt his question was a bad one, while his anxiety had risen in his heart. He quickly blinked as he heard Samurai calling out to him. His gaze quickly trailing over to let the asian pony know that he had heard him. He nodded slowly at Samurai's first remark, before shaking his head at the question. "I-I don't sense anything, b-but I feel this sense of dread. Almost that same sense of dread I was feeling yesterday after what had happened." To Dynamo, it felt like he had felt this same presence before, but he wasn't sure if it was the same sense/presence.

"Chelsea, a-are you okay?" He asks, looking towards the female griffon, who visibly panted as she stood by near Trilby. It seemed that Chelsea was able to sense what Samurai had mentioned, while feeling shaken up by what was happening to Trilby. The patient in question looked okay on the outside, but it seemed there was more to it than that. However, what she had said had caused Dynamo to raise an eyebrow in both confusion and concern. "What do you mean, Chelsea? What kind of curse are you talking about?"

[Samurai Equine 51,832]

@Windy Breeze, @C. Thunder Dash, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare, @PawelS, @Ragland Tiger

Chelsea's powers, at first start healing Trilby. Surface cuts and scrapes? Gone. The black eye and other bruises? Gone. However, before it can heal any broken bones or any deeper injuries, the curse roars at her and blocks her magic. It even tries to bite her talon.

Samurai looks over at Chelsea. "A curse? Trilby's under a curse?! ...Chelsea, may I help you? I don't have any kind of curse-breaking spells, but I do have some purification magic. It might be useful."

[Chelsea]

@Samurai Equine @Dynamo Pad @Windy Breeze @Ragland Tiger @PawelS

Chelsea dodged the bite. She powered up to stage 1. Her hair glowed a blue and stood up like a super saiyan. She pushed harder. "You will not hurt my friend anymore." She said to the curse as her magic was able to pierce through the block. "Samurai, please protect everyone. If I push to the max, the curse may fly out and try to get someone else..." Chelsea warned. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,361]

@Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @Windy Breeze @PawelS @Samurai Equine @C. Thunder Dash

Dynamo watched as Chelsea had begun to heal Trilby's injuries. One by one, each injury from his surface cuts, scrapes, black eye, bruises and others were beginning to fade. However, it seemed that all wasn't back to normal as Chelsea had given her statement. "Hurt us? Wait a minute. So, whatever this curse that's affecting Trilby can also hurt us? H-How is something like this possible? I mean, did this curse happen from one of the enemies we faced yesterday?" He wondered, before a thought had crossed his mind. "If Samurai is going to try and protect us, then should we all back up? Just in case so we don't get caught in the crossfire of whatever this curse is trying to do." He says, not sure what this curse was plotting against the group.

Edited March 31, 2021 by Dynamo Pad

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

 @C. Thunder Dash @Dynamo Pad @ExplosionMare @PawelS @Samurai Equine

Shadow has high hopes Chelsea would stop whatever curse is afflicting Trilby. She was happy to see his bruises disappear however to her confusion Chelsea seemed to dodge something she couldn't see and it did not take her long to find out it was actually the curse trying to attack the griffon.

Chelsea warning however did not reach her ears as she sneakingly reached out and grasped one of Trilby's forelegs despite the danger she knew and the risk she had to take “Trilby, please fight it” she whispered to him.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Windy Breeze @Dynamo Pad @Ragland Tiger @Samurai Equine @PawelS @ExplosionMare

"Shadow don't...!" Chelsea started but it was too late. Chelsea fired a pure ball of water at Shadow just to make sure she wouldn't get hit with the curse herself. "Everyone, we have to do this together. You gotta dig deep to the purest of pure energies. This will ensure the curse vanishes and doesn't fly out to hurt anyone else." Chelsea stated as she powered up to stage 2. 

[Samurai Equine 51,832]

@Windy Breeze, @C. Thunder Dash, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare, @PawelS, @Ragland Tiger

Thankfully for Shadow, the curse is preoccupied resisting Chelsea to afflict her too.

Samurai heard what Chelsea says, but he knows he can't let her face this alone. "Everyone who isn't magically gifted, please stand back!" Samurai directs them before focusing his magic. His horn glows and then, something flies into the room. Doing a Sailor Moon-esque transformation sequence, Samurai's hair is put up into a formal style while he is suddenly suited up in his traditional Japonies clothing. Furthermore, he is given some items. He anchors a onusa rod, letting its shide streamers flap in the breeze.

Samurai gets beside Chelsea and begins doing hoof signs. "I summon the spirits of old. Ancestors watch over us. Warriors, give us strength! Rin, Pyou, Tou, Sha, Kai, Jin, Retsu, Zai, Zen~! Spirits unleashed! Demons disperse!!" Samurai whips out a paper seal, which goes from blank to filled with Japonies text. He tries to place it on Trilby, but the curse pushes back against the paper seal. Still, it is doing something! The curse is yelling in pain. It's slowly unwrapping itself around Trilby, but a few of its shadowy claws remain latched on. "...This... This is dragon magic! It's a formidable magic indeed... If an Alicorn were here, we could break this curse no problem. But maybe, if we wall combine our magic, we can do it ourselves!"

Edited March 31, 2021 by Samurai Equine

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine @C. Thunder Dash

The ball of water causes Shadow to stumble and let go of Trilby's hoof. She staring at Chelsea then at her own hoof in shock, looking at her own body until hearing Samurai's warning. She quickly got back behind him, watching as the fight begins. In her mind, she prayed they could defeat the curse and leave Trilby.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Samurai Equine @Dynamo Pad @Ragland Tiger @ExplosionMare @Windy Breeze @PawelS

Chelsea continued to push. "Keep going! Thundy! See if you can find a Yu Gi Oh card that could help." Chelsea stated. "On it!" Thundy said as he gathered some electricity and made his Yu Gi Oh binder appear. He quickly looked through the cards he had. However, he couldn't find any. Instead, he dug way deep beyond his impure heart, and found a brightness within. His whole body was enveloped in a veil of light. He had wielded the power of Light Jak from Jak and Daxter. It wouldn't last long however. He radiated pure light at the curse. His time in this form was slowly draining.